Chapter 450

Chapter 450: "Emergency Lesson"

"You, recite the content starting from Chapter 2 of the operation manual."

Yan Ming looked at the somewhat nervous man on the podium, barely suppressing a laugh.

These veterans are indeed challenging in certain aspects, but he has his own methods.

The half-true, half-false rumors about himself were spread by him personally. Ever since those "inside stories" circulated, he found managing these hundreds of people much easier.

Noting that the veteran appeared to be struggling, Yan Ming finally spoke in a serious tone:

"Can’t recite it? Let me give you a hint: What is the minimum number of participants required to keep the superhero team alert?"

"Th-thirty people."

"If there is at least one selected superpowered individual leading, the minimum number can be reduced to?"

"Twenty-five people."

"If the team needs to split up, the distance between them must not exceed?"

"One hundred meters."

"Is that really correct? Why don’t you go outside the city and try?"

"Eighty meters."

"Okay, to prevent spore inhalation, what is the maximum time interval for changing the mask’s filter cartridges?"

"Six hours."

"What actions should you immediately take when you lose your direction or have obstructed vision?"

"Install the Beacon and wait for teammates to rescue you; do not act blindly."

"In an area with spores, if a teammate is injured, what are the correct steps to take?"

"First step… adjust the glasses, um, that rationality monitoring device to non-standard mode; second step, confirm…"

"If the team includes extraordinary beasts that can cooperate, how do you determine if they are rational?"

"First, observe the eyes; if grayish-white filaments appear…"

Five minutes later, Liu Xiaoheng, with his back soaked in sweat, had endured the intense pressure of the interrogation.

He trembled as he sat back down on his stool, while the nearby veterans gave him thumbs up, mouthing silent "awesome" compliments.

Yan Ming made a few simple notes on the student roster and then raised his head to look at everyone, beginning the next round of questions.

A few lucky ones stood up in turn; some passed the assessment, while others drew the option of copying thirty times.

Half an hour later, Yan Ming frowned as he closed the roster and slammed a not-so-thick white paper on the table, speaking seriously:

"In the past two months, we have lost over thirty people in the mycelium-controlled areas outside the city.

"Half of them traded their lives for this operation manual that could save you; the other half died outside due to failing to strictly follow its contents, leaving their bodies unrecoverable.

"There will be many more deaths in the future. Whether it’s you or me, it’s unlikely we will enjoy retirement again, something we are all well aware of.

"But I still hope you can live a little longer. Even if you die, make it worthwhile—you should become a line in this white paper, not die for nothing.

"Those who answered the questions correctly, stay behind; the rest can disperse and have dinner."

Yan Ming finished speaking and sat down in the chair behind him, causing a sound of people packing up to fill the makeshift tiered classroom.

Once the veterans lined up and left the classroom, five of them, including Liu Xiaoheng, approached the podium.

Yan Ming glanced at the roster, nodded, and murmured to himself,

“Follow me.”

With that, he rose and left the classroom, heading in another direction toward a set of stairs leading underground.

Yan Ming switched on the lights in the dark corridor, striding forward while speaking as if to himself,

“This place was the largest black market in Hope City last year, controlled by a former councilman. As for now… I won’t elaborate further.

“The black market was established here because, decades ago, when human spaceships crashed, a remarkably well-preserved passage broke directly into the underground, suffering almost no damage.

“At the time, to facilitate the transportation of goods, people repurposed this corridor and built the first Chemical Factory for humans on this planet right here.”

Yan Ming arrived at a wall and pressed the black terminal on his finger against a concave area.

The wall responded, creaking open a passageway with the sound of gears and hydraulic rods.

The style inside the passage was distinctly different from the outside; most areas of the Chemical Factory were constructed of poured concrete, giving it a raw, unfinished aesthetic.

However, the corridor before them reflected a glimmer resembling brushed metal in all directions.

“You five have demonstrated a solid grasp of the essentials, so you’re well-suited to participate in the first test.”

As they stepped into the corridor, Yan Ming’s voice, already soft, echoed clearly off the walls.

“What kind of test is it?” Liu Xiaoheng asked cautiously.

“Oh, that? It’s still classified, but it’s no longer a secret for you five.”

The group walked for nearly ten minutes and entered a spacious area after passing through two gates.

Though the refined yet sturdy metal style still surrounded them, this place was as expansive as a training ground.

Yan Ming led the five to a corner of the training ground and waved to a few researchers who were typing at keyboards,

“I’ve brought the candidates; they’re performing well in all respects. Let them give it a try.”

The lead researcher nodded and pressed a button on the control panel in front of him.

Liu Xiaoheng initially thought the columns surrounding the training ground were merely structural, but when the researcher pressed the button, these columns slid open to the sides like metal doors.

In the next moment, the five who had been brought there understood what Yan Ming meant by "test."

Five exoskeletons, each with slightly different designs, were revealed.

These soldier exoskeletons could almost be called mechs, resembling the protective suits they had once worn, with only one exit designed on the back.

Staring at the sharp lines and powerful designs, the five began to unconsciously swallow.

A researcher waved a folder in front of them, interrupting their reverie:

“I must remind you that these exoskeletons are still in the debugging phase. You may sustain injuries due to design flaws or operational errors during use.

“The medical team is on standby nearby. Unless there’s an unforeseen emergency, your lives won’t be at risk, but do remain cautious.

“These are the five final design options under consideration. You five will take turns matching with the five exoskeletons for testing. Based on your experiences, we will finalize the production model.

“Please ensure that all subsequent reports, questionnaires, and verbal inquiries are truthful and complete. Remember, your actions will have a tangible impact on the survival of humanity.”